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Blackberry firm sees sales jump Blackberry firm sees sales jump
(about 2 hours later)
Buoyant demand for the Blackberry wireless e-mail device has boosted its Canadian manufacturer.Buoyant demand for the Blackberry wireless e-mail device has boosted its Canadian manufacturer.
Profits at Research in Motion (RIM) hit $513.7m (£258m) in the three months to 1 December from $237.2m a year earlier as sales rose 22% to $1.37bn. Profits at Research in Motion (RIM) hit $513.7m (£258m) in the three months to 1 December compared with $237.2m a year earlier. Sales rose 22% to $1.37bn.
The firm signed up 1.65 million new Blackberry users over the period and shipped nearly four million devices.The firm signed up 1.65 million new Blackberry users over the period and shipped nearly four million devices.
Demand for the product was particularly strong among business people and government officials, it added.Demand for the product was particularly strong among business people and government officials, it added.
RIM shares rose more than 4% on the Nasdaq exchange in New York on the news.RIM shares rose more than 4% on the Nasdaq exchange in New York on the news.
'Solid performance''Solid performance'
At the end of November, there were 12 million Blackberry subscribers.At the end of November, there were 12 million Blackberry subscribers.
The firm expects to sign up another 1.8 million customers in the three months to the beginning of March.The firm expects to sign up another 1.8 million customers in the three months to the beginning of March.
RIM and its partners continue to execute our business plans effectively Jim Balsillie, Research in Motion co-chief executive See RIM sharesRIM and its partners continue to execute our business plans effectively Jim Balsillie, Research in Motion co-chief executive See RIM shares
It is targeting customers in fast-growing economies such as China and India as well as core markets such as the US, Canada and the UK.It is targeting customers in fast-growing economies such as China and India as well as core markets such as the US, Canada and the UK.
"RIM and its partners continue to execute our business plans effectively," said the firm's co-chief executive Jim Balsillie."RIM and its partners continue to execute our business plans effectively," said the firm's co-chief executive Jim Balsillie.
"Performance in the third quarter was solid with strong adoption of Blackberry products and services continuing across multiple market sectors including enterprise, small and medium business and consumer market segments.""Performance in the third quarter was solid with strong adoption of Blackberry products and services continuing across multiple market sectors including enterprise, small and medium business and consumer market segments."
RIM is forecasting that fourth-quarter sales will increase to $1.8bn.RIM is forecasting that fourth-quarter sales will increase to $1.8bn.